EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTS OF COCONUT OIL ON SOME BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS IN ALBINO RATS

Abstract

Coconut oil from coconut kernel is a source of natural cooking oil for most people in tropical countries. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of coconut oil on some biochemical, haematological and histological parameters in albino rats. Two phases of experiment with four groups of male albino rats each consisting of five rats weighing about 180 – 200 g were used for this study. Phase 1 of the experiment involves feeding of albino rats with commercial rodent chow mixed with coconut oil, coconut oil supplemented diet (COSD) while phase 2 experimental rats were treated with coconut oil orally. Group 1 served as the control for both phases of treatment, groups 2, 3 and 4 were treated with 3 ml/kg, 6 ml/kg and 12 ml/kg of COSD and coconut oil respectively for 4 weeks. Result of both phases of experiment showed significant increase (p≤0.05) in serum concentrations of AST, ALP and ALT levels. Also, the result showed that the levels of urea and creatinine decreased significantly when compared with the control group. Haematological results showed that levels of haemoglobin and PCV for both phases of treatment decreased significantly (p≤0.05) compared with the control group. Total protein for COSD treatment phase showed a significant increase while total protein for coconut oil (CO) oral administration treatment phase decreased significantly for only group 4 albino rats when compared with control. Histopathological results showed normal liver hepatocytes in the treated albino rats except for some albino rats with microvesicular steatosis. This study has also shown that coconut oil within the dosage administered cause mild inflammation of the liver in some of the albino rats.